Sunday February 12, 2012 – Hudson River Park’s Pier 57
On a cold, blistery afternoon at New York’s Pier 57, Ali Hewson and designer Sharon Wauchob brought some fashion heat to their fall 2012 collection, drawing on African prints and motifs and blending them with an 80’s punkish-cum-Parisian sophistication. Springbok (gazelle) print silk tunics, voluminous turtlenecks, lacquer printed kilt skirts, and handcrafted Kenyan knits were key centerpiece looks. Paper nylon padded gilets, dropped crotch leather pants, charcoal wool jackets, and zebra print jumpsuits were effervescently chic and, more importantly, seasonably appropriate (unlike a few other NYFW designers who have shied from incorporating trousers for winter; we’re looking at you DKNY, DVF, Thakoon). Visiting the African continent often with her family, one could easily imagine Ali stuffing her daughter’s luggage with some of these pieces before she heads back to Columbia University. Also on hand to lend their support alongside Mrs. Hewson’s family were front row guests Julian Lennon and iconic model Helena Christensen.
Having launched in 2009 and feted by Louis Vuitton, the fashion house has quickly gained momentum not only as a socially conscious brand helping to usher in a new age of sustainable commerce for the African continent, but as a style reference unto its own. Over 29 of the 37 looks will be produced in Africa, with future production slated to be solely made on the continent. Despite all this, Edun has successfully avoided some of the pitfalls of other brands with similar intentions, producing ever stronger collections palpable to a global audience while avoiding the pitfall of being geared solely toward the tree hugging crowd.
Visit edun.com
See all the looks below:
